The yellow card is a certificate of vaccination to show that travellers have been immunised against yellow fever. Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease present in Africa and South America. The infection can range from mild to severe. Vaccination is the best protection against this virus.
The yellow fever vaccine provides protection against the virus for travellers and those living in areas where the disease is present. The vaccine is only available as an injection.
International travellers, including those transiting through high-risk countries, are required to compulsorily obtain the e-Yellow Card before travel, with vaccination usually recommended at least 10 days prior to departure.
Countries requiring proof of yellow fever vaccines
Many countries in Africa and South America require proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry, especially if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Some countries may also require proof of vaccination even if you are just passing through, or depending on your travel history.
The most popular countries where yellow fever vaccination is required or recommended are Argentina, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Peru and Tanzania.
According to African Union, (AU) countries that require vaccination for all travellers older than 9 months or one year include: Benin, Côte d’ivoire, Rwanda, Burkina Faso, DRC, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Gabon, Niger, Cameron, Guinea-Bissau, Togo, Central African Republic, Kenya, Congo and Liberia.
In South America these countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, and Venezuela.
Countries that require vaccination for travellers from countries with a risk of Yellow Fever transmission or transit for 12 hours in those countries are:
Algeria, Libya, Seychelles, Botswana, Equatorial Guinea, Somalia, Cabo Verde, Eritrea, South Africa, Chad, Madagascar, Sudan, Djibouti, Malawi, Swaziland, Egypt, Mauritania, Tunisia, Ethiopia, Mauritius, Uganda, Gambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Ghana, Namibia, Zambia, Guinea, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and Papua New Guinea.
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Cost
The cost of a yellow fever vaccination can vary, but it typically ranges from $100 to $260, depending on the location and provider. In some instances, like during mass vaccination campaigns, it may be available free of charge.
The vaccine itself, along with the administration and the necessary International Certificate, can cost around $260.
Many travel clinics offer the yellow fever vaccine, and the price can vary. For example, one clinic in Norwalk, CT, charges $225 per dose. Routine vaccinations are usually covered by insurance, but travel vaccines, including yellow fever, may not be.
In Nigeria, the yellow fever vaccine is provided free for children as part of the routine childhood immunization schedule in public facilities and during mass vaccination campaigns.
Some facilities may charge a separate fee for the consultation or service related to the vaccine, like a $60 fee for a consultation at a Randalls Pharmacy.
Process of obtaining yellow cards in Nigeria
If a yellow fever vaccination is medically contraindicated, a waiver may be available, but this often involves a fee as well.
To get vaccinated against yellow fever in Nigeria, individuals can either get vaccinated as part of the routine childhood immunization schedule at government health facilities (free for children) or obtain the e-Yellow Card for international travel at Ports Health Services offices, usually with a fee.
The e-Yellow Card is required for international travellers and those transiting through countries with yellow fever risk.
International travellers are expected to register online by visiting the official Yellow Card Nigeria portal and registering, providing personal information that is required.
To make payment, applicants are required to generate a Remita Retrieval Receipt (RRR) code and pay the required fee (currently N2,000, excluding bank charges) online or at a designated bank, according to govserv.ng.
To get vaccinated, travellers are expected to take the payment receipt and their international passport to the nearest Ports Health Services office to get vaccinated.
The e-Yellow Card should be issued within an hour of vaccination.
The old paper-based yellow card has been replaced by the e-Yellow Card, with the transition effective from April 1, 2019.
Below are the steps to follow:
- Visit https://www.yellowcardnigeria.com
- Click on ‘Register’
- Fill in your personal information
- Click on the ‘PAY NOW’ button to generate your Remita Retrieval Receipt (RRR) code. Pay the sum of ₦2,000 online or go to the bank.
- Take the payment receipt along with your International Passport to any Port Health Services office located inside the international airport across various states.
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Get vaccinated and obtain the new e-yellow card.
Alternatively, you can go to the Port health services office to make payment and get everything done. It is advisable to go prior to the dates of travel in order to avoid queues.
Validity
Yellow fever cards are valid for 10 years from the day of vaccination. Travellers do not need the vaccine again if their card is still valid. They can provide the old yellow card with proof of vaccination then pay for the new card.
Where to get the vaccinations in Nigeria
For international travellers, the vaccine is available at Port Health Services offices, which are located at points of entry such as airports and seaports. You can also get the vaccine and the e-Yellow Card (International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis) at these locations.
Port Health Services are the competent authority at points of entry like airports and seaports. They are responsible for implementing public health measures, including vaccination and issuing the e-Yellow Card.
Intending travellers can find Port Health Services offices at various points of entry, including airports.
Features of valid yellow card
The new card can be verified anywhere in the world by scanning the bar code.
An individual can check the authenticity of the yellow card issued on the Nigeria Yellow Card Portal.
To confirm the validity of the card, there is a six digit number that can be used on the Yellow card website.
To get a valid yellow card, generate REMITA and pay N2,000 online or at the bank.
The e-yellow card is expected to carry the holder’s name and passport number.
10-day window
In Nigeria, the yellow fever vaccination should be taken at least 10 days before travel. This 10-day period is crucial for the vaccine to become fully effective and for the traveller to obtain the necessary International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP).
The yellow fever vaccine requires about 10 days to develop immunity in the body.
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